According to the current (2016) ADA guidelines, no agent is “the preferred” second line therapy after metformin monotherapy — instead the benefits, risks, cost, and convenience of each option should be considered and treatment should be individualized. The liraglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes (LEADER) trial, which assessed the long-term cardiovascular effects of liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, comes at an interesting time shortly after the publication of the empagliflozin, cardiovascular outcomes, and mortality in type 2 diabetes (EMPA-REG OUTCOME) trial. Both studies found a cardiovascular benefit. How, then, will the results of these trials affect the algorithm for type 2 diabetes management and more importantly, clinical practice?

Resistant hypertension (RH) is frequently encountered in primary care practice and often presents a significant clinical challenge because limited evidence-based guidance exists.RH is a major cause of cardiovascular disease and death, and has been associated with a 50% increased risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, congestive heart failure, and chronic kidney disease when compared to patients without RH.The American Heart Association defines RH as uncontrolled BP despite maximal treatment with a three-drug regimen, ideally including a diuretic.The exact prevalence of RH is unknown, but large randomized controlled trials suggest it affects one in five patients with elevated BP. Previous research findings suggest chlorthalidone, spironolactone, and eplerenone are all effective add-on therapies when BP remains uncontrolled with typical first line agents. The Pathway-2 study provides the first direct comparative evaluation of three different four-drug antihypertensive regimens.

Could a nutritional supplement be the “magic bullet” in heart failure therapy? Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), or ubiquinone, is an electron carrier in mitochondria and plays a key role in ATP synthesis. It is also thought to have antioxidant effects and may stabilize LDL molecules. All of which would, theoretically, help the failing heart.

After cardiovascular (CV) safety concerns emerged with rosiglitazone use, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now requires outcome studies to be performed for all new diabetes medications. The first CV safety study (ELIXA) for a drug in the glucagon-like peptide 1-receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) class – lixisenatide - was published in December 2015. Lixisenatide is a once-daily injectable GLP-1 RA approved for use in Europe and awaits FDA approval in the United States.

The recommended treatment
duration for a first episode of unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE) is, at
a minimum, 3 months with extended anticoagulation favored for those who are not
at high risk for bleeding. However, the
optimal duration of anticoagulation therapy remains unknown.

The Prolonged Anticoagulation
Treatment for a First Episode of Idiopathic Pulmonary Embolism (PADIS-PE) study
examines this question but, most importantly, provides insights about patient outcomes after anticoagulation
treatment is discontinued

Two new mAbs, alirocumab and
evolocumab, have been approved to treat elevated cholesterol when
added to maximally tolerated statin therapy in patients with familial
hypercholesterolemia or history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
(ASCVD). This new class of drugs, the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin
type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors, is considered to be the biggest breakthrough in
cholesterol treatment since statins were approved 3 decades ago. But are they
worth it?